Customer Reviews

Were You Raised by Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood

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As I was reading Were You Raised By Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood, I was laughing out loud.

I'm not really the target demographic for this book -- it's really intended for the college and early 20-something set. So, as I sit here teetering on the edge of the number whose name I will not speak, I didn't really need a lot of the advice.

But I know a couple of nieces just finishing their sophomore year in college who may find Raised by Wolves slipped under their pillow next time I see them! ;)

Why? Because in a caustically humorous way, author Christie Mellor, who also wrote The Thee-Martini Playdate, pulls no punches on "encouraging" the reader to take responsibility for some little and big things in life that just make it the world a nicer place -- like learning how to make your bed the right way, complete with illustrations (I found this one particularly helpful!) and cleaning the bathroom. UGH! I shudder at the thought of what the bathroom generally looked like when I shared a place with some other girls in college. ICK!

Mellor tells it like it is in a way that even the most spoiled and pampered almost-adults will understand, like just sucking it up when you start that new job and not acting on day one like you're already everyone's closest friend:

Until you have worked at this job for many more months, and have been invited to socialize with your coworkers, you must not behave as if you are a long-standing member of our happy family. ... You are not allowed to make amusing remarks about Heather's bad hair ... Don't assume that you are 'one of the gang' until you have been invited to be 'one of the gang.'

So many pitfalls of entering the adult working world could have been avoided in my life if I had had this guide! I had no idea I could get those nasty water rings off the wooden TV trays with mayonnaise! I also didn't know that while you CAN freeze vodka for that tasty martini, freezing gin is a bad idea!

Seriously, Mellor strikes the perfect pitch in her ability to encourage the young whipper-snappers of today to take responsibility for learning how to do some nice grown-up things that actually might get them ahead in the worlds of work, friends and love. Most of us had to muddle our way through and figure this stuff out by trial-and-error.

But Were You Raised By Wolves? is a great refresher on all the social niceties that can make our existence so much more pleasant -- plus, I'm getting started soon on her recommended grown-up reading list (except, Christie, I think I'm going to have to pass on Camus!)

Christie Mellor is the edgy, sharp Emily Post of today. She's as smart and funny an author as you'll find. Her earlier book, "The Three Martini Playdate" set the tone for her acidic but eminently practical strategy for parenting, and in "Were You Raised By Wolves?:...", she continues this approach for kids heading into adulthood. Her advice is spot-on and realistic, but the tone is so charming and funny that even the intended audience can appreciate it. And that's a major feat. Fantastic book, highly recommended!

This is more than a how-to book for clueless, newly-minted adults. This is an amusing, well-rendered, good-faith attempt at restoring the Social Contract. Too many people are being let loose on the world without having learned the basics of hosting, guesting, home care and self-sustenance. Mother Superior Mellor brings all her wit and whimsy (plus delightful hand-drawn illustrations) to a book that arrives not a moment too soon. I laughed and learned... I recommend it not only to the cubs, but anyone who needs a refresher course on how to be civilized.

I loved this book! Really hilarious, but also full of very practical information for 20-somethings on their own for the first time. A perfect graduation gift. So original!

DO NOT send a kid off to college without this book! The perfect graduation gift! No matter how good a job you think you did of parenting the little brat, this book will catch all the little spots you missed. Your kid's roommate will thank you. Essential, and also very funny!

funny,funny,cold hard truth.way too late for me, but a must for those in their 20's, 30's or anyone that needs a nudge into adulthood. everything from never missing a chance to shut-up (author's chapter on how "ears are our friends")to how to establish an adult relationship with alcohol, other humans,or not so human,your bank,crazy people, "gasbags",things that won't leave,money,sports nuts,shakespeare,peter sellers,law makers and ourselves. Bravo!! mucho gusto.

funny and useful, great for all ages but especially those starting out on their own.